The Spy Devils by Joe Goldberg (top rated books of all time .TXT) 📕

have lots of real-life experiences. Sounded like a plan.

After starting, stopping, starting, and finally finishing a draft, I found out something: the corporate intel world is a boring topic for fiction—no matter how I sliced it. No action. Certainly free of thrills, unless filling in travel expense spreadsheets thrills you.

I decided to merge two of my worlds—the CIA and the business arena. I still had a few experiences up my sleeve. Can I squish them together to build a realistic story?

I also had this theme running through my head, dictating my writing.

“Everyone has a story.”

Readers needed to say “that could be me” about the characters when they were done reading. The characters required lives. Relationships. A basis in reality. Then I needed to place these characters into situations that were believable as they were.

I ended up with about 300,000 words searching to find the right balance of business and government—the right combination of action and reality.

Along came the Spy Devils—the first in a series. Is it real? Is it fiction? Does it matter?

As in all works of fiction, some moments push credibility, especially when it comes to the Spy Devils (as Bridger wrote in the Foreword).

As I wrote in Secret Wars, it isn’t Hemingway, but I hope you enjoy a good story.

Thanks for reading it.

Joe

Wheaton, Il

USA

Acknowledgments

“No book is an island.”

Okay. That’s not exactly what John Donne wrote, but it is true. It takes a community to move an idea for a book from ideation to publication. I have benefited from many visitors to my island who provided wisdom, assistance, and support.

The most important inhabitant of my island is my wife Lynda. She has endured way too many days of my often-grumpy mood-shifting process. Without her encouragement—I don’t want to think about it. The rest of my family provided support all along the way. Jessica (Goldberg) Sobie, Roger Sobie, and the grandkids Elliott, Reid, and Adelie. Sarah Goldberg. Benjamin Goldberg. Thanks team.

My brothers: Stan, Mike, Gary, Alan. At various times, they pushed, pulled, and encouraged.

Within seconds after I typed “THE END” on the very first draft of The Spy Devils and posted a photo on Facebook, my phone rang. The incomparable Ryan Steck, of The Real Book Spy, was on the line. We talked. We plotted. We became friends. Ryan has provided guidance, honest, constructive comments, and so much more. His friendship is invaluable. The Real Book Spy is the real deal.

I would not have stayed on course without the friendship, advice, and material support of JT Patten, aka Scott Swanson (read his books). We consumed a lot of BBQ talking about plots and the profession. If you need someone in your corner, start with JT.

When I foolishly thought I had a pretty good manuscript, John Paine showed me otherwise with his incredible professional editing skills. You have read the results of his expertise. Jessica Garvin made the last thorough copy edit review. Renee Rocco for her formatting skills. Heidi Aubin for her photography. Damonza.com for the great cover.

Some outstanding writers and others have, in some way, encouraged or buttressed my efforts—Josh Hood. Simon Gervais. Mark Greaney. Kevin Mauer. KJ Howe.

Eric Bishop who has done more to market The Spy Devils than I have! You are a steely-eyed fiction man. I look forward to reading The Body Man.

James Abt, Kashif Hussain, David Dobiasek, and the rest of the team at Best Thriller Books. You are filling a very important need for authors and it is greatly appreciated.

Sean, Mike, and CE at The Crew Reviews.

Jack Murphy at The Team House.

David Darling. Cathy Helowicz. Julie-Watson. Kronos Ananth. Each volunteered to read ARCs of the book. Intel professionals Derek and Arik Johnson of Aurora WDC. Sandy Fries. Journalist. Author. Professor.

Finally, I want to thank Bridger and the Spy Devils for letting me tell their story, even as a work of fiction. Greatly appreciated.

About the Author

Joe Goldberg has had a diverse career. He has been a CIA covert action officer, a corporate intelligence director, international political consultant, and a college instructor. He holds degrees in Political Science and Communications from the University of Iowa. He has a passion for writing, U.S. history, Jimmy Buffett, the Iowa Hawkeyes, and his family.

Joe can be found on the internet and social media at:

Joegoldbergbooks.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/joegoldbergbooks/

Twitter: @JoeGoldbergBook

Instagram: @JoeGoldbergbooks

Also By Joe Goldberg

Secret Wars: An Espionage Story

COMING SOON:

Rebellious Son: A Spy Devils Thriller